Mentorship Program

Looking to level up your career in the fermentation industry? The Pink Boots Society Canada Mentorship Program connects aspiring professionals with experienced industry leaders. Mentees will be paired with a Mentor who can share their expertise and help you reach your goals. Mentors will have the unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, share industry knowledge, and contribute to the growth of the next generation. We believe in building a strong and supportive community for women and non-binary individuals, and this program is a key part of that mission.

Why become a MENTEE of the Pink Boots Society Canada Mentorship Program?

Your career is important to you. You have worked hard to get where you are, but you want to do more. Connecting with an established industry professional will help you think and work outside of your day-to-day. You will set achievable goals with a dedicated champion in your corner. Mentees must be a Pink Boots Canada member.

Think you might want to be a MENTOR for the Pink Boots Society Canada Mentorship Program?
We welcome the chance to speak with you about our program, how we want it to evolve, and how you fit with the needs of our members. Our members and their experiences are diverse, and we look for the same in our mentors. Our mentors must align with our core values but do not need to be members.

Have more questions? Reach out to Lauren Holzschuh, Mentorship Program Coordinator, at mentorship@pinkbootscanada.ca

READ THE FULL PROGRAM HERE

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2025 Mentors

Nancy More

KPU BREWING OPERATIONS, B.C.

Instructor at KPU - Brewing & Brewery operations program. Developed the curriculum and shaped the content of the courses.

How will you approach contributing skill development, career advice, and leadership advice to your mentee?

My experience in developing and coaching people and teams has shown me the power of great questions. Given the right question, people usually have the answer and skills within them to deal with situations. I have a balance of technical brewing, management, and leadership skills, which helps me help others with a broad range of situations. I have been involved in developing brewers and leaders throughout my career, and I work to make sure that people are supported so that they can become their own best self.

What do you expect to take away from your Mentor experience?

Learning, always learning. We all brew beer essentially the same way, but there is always something to learn about different situations. And working with people exposes you to new situations, experiences, and ideas that will make me think and give me new approaches.

Caitlin Quinn

EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY, AB

Master Distiller & Director of Innovation at Eau Claire Distillery, 10 years in the distillation industry, BSc in Chemistry, and MSc in Brewing and Distilling in Scotland.

How will you approach contributing skill development, career advice, and leadership advice to your mentee?

I like to lead by example, showing where I have both failed and succeeded in the industry, and set realistic goals for my mentee. Open and honest communication, supported by real-life industry examples.

What do you expect to take away from your Mentor experience?

I expect to come away from the experience with the pride and knowledge that I've encouraged another woman to grow and change the industry, even in a small way, and enhanced a community of females within the fermentation sciences.

Fun Facts!

Dog lover, mother to 2 malamute cross boys, hobbies: reading, baking sourdough.

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2025 Mentees

Kirsten Dunn

Tatamagouche Taproom Manager, NS

My name is Kirsten, and I have been the Taproom Manager at Tatamagouche Brewing Co. for 2 years. Here I get to combine my love of craft beer, community, and great hospitality every day. My goal is to make sure every guest who walks through our doors feels welcome, whether they’re a seasoned craft beer lover or just discovering their new favourite brew.

Being queer and neurodivergent, I’m all about creating an inclusive, accessible, and fun environment where everyone can enjoy great beer and good company. I’ve worked on expanding our beer offerings, fine-tuning service, and ensuring that our space is as inviting as the people who fill it.

When I’m not in the taproom chatting about beer, you’ll probably find me dreaming up new ways to enhance the Tata Brew experience, because a great brewery is about more than just beer (though let’s be honest, the beer is pretty fantastic)

Expected Takeaways from Mentorship

I anticipate that this mentorship will provide me with personalized guidance to enhance my skills in taproom management, deepen my understanding of the craft beverage industry, and expand my professional network. By learning from an experienced mentor, I hope to gain insights that will contribute to my personal and professional growth, aligning with Pink Boots Society's mission to assist and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry through education.

Biggest Challenge

One of my primary challenges is navigating the complexities of career advancement within the craft beverage industry. Therefore, I am seeking support in identifying growth opportunities, overcoming barriers to access due to my neurodivergence, and developing strategies to achieve my career objectives. Guidance in these areas would be invaluable in helping me progress within the industry.

Important Mentor Characteristics

I value a mentor who acts with humour and humility. Someone who is curious and demonstrates a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

Helia Xiang

Kwantlen Polytechnic Brewery Student

Hi, I’m Helia, a first-year Brewing student at KPU. Right now, I’m learning the skills and knowledge that will help me build a solid career in the brewing industry. I have a deep appreciation for beer tasting and love exploring new ideas in craft beer. My goal is to brew beer that satisfies both myself and the consumers.